"'No Euthanasia for Pets During Business Trips'... Veterinarians Puzzled by Kang Hyeong-wook's Explanation"

Claims of Leo Neglect Met with "Euthanasia Discussed with Veterinarian"
In Principle, Veterinarian 'On-site Euthanasia' Not Allowed

Kang Hyung-wook, CEO of Bodeum Company, explained that the health of the police dog Shepherd "Leo" deteriorated, so he called a veterinarian for euthanasia at home. However, controversy has arisen over allegations that this violated the Veterinary Medical Service Act. According to the Act, pet treatment must be conducted inside an animal hospital (medical institution), but the veterinarian brought narcotics and psychotropic drugs necessary for general anesthesia and performed euthanasia at Bodeum Company.

On the 25th, CEO Kang clarified through his YouTube channel 'Kang Hyung-wook's Bodeum TV' that the allegations of neglecting the pet dog Leo were untrue. Leo, born in 2009, was raised by Kang, sent to serve as a police dog, worked for about seven years as a scent evidence dog at the Busan Police Department's Forensic Science Unit, and after retirement, was re-adopted by Kang as a pet dog.

Kang Hyung-wook, CEO of Bodeum Company, explained that he called a veterinarian for euthanasia at home due to the deteriorating health of the police dog Shepherd "Leo," but controversy has arisen over allegations that he violated veterinary guidelines.
[Photo source=YouTube channel 'Kang Hyung-wook's Bodeum TV']

He explained the euthanasia circumstances, saying, "Leo was incontinent to the point that urine came out every time he breathed and feces came out even with slight movement, making treatment impossible, and he was also old. We decided to care for him at the company and wiped him with water every morning, but since he couldn't stand, we discussed euthanasia with the veterinarian over several months, set a date, and asked the veterinarian to perform it." He added, "The euthanasia was performed in the office on the second floor of Bodeum Onam Campus, and the staff also said their final goodbyes to Leo."

Kang Hyung-wook, CEO of Bodeum Company, explained that the health of the police dog Shepherd "Leo" deteriorated, so he called a veterinarian for euthanasia at home. However, controversy has arisen over allegations that the veterinarian violated guidelines.
[Photo source=YouTube channel 'Kang Hyung-wook's Bodeum TV']

However, Kang's explanation sparked further controversy. Veterinarians criticized that 'euthanasia at home' is fundamentally illegal. They pointed out that it must be examined whether the veterinarian properly reported the removal and use of drugs to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's Narcotics Integrated Management System (NIMS) during the process of carrying narcotics outside the animal hospital and performing euthanasia at home.

Previously, the Korean Veterinary Medical Association recommended in guidelines related to animal hospital visit treatments enacted in September 2020 that "in principle, animal treatment should be conducted inside animal hospitals." The intent is that treatment of companion animals, unlike livestock such as cattle and pigs, should especially be conducted inside animal hospitals. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety may issue warnings or suspend the work of veterinarians if violations related to narcotics handling are found during the euthanasia process.